Houston TX vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 507,478 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 26.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $39,586 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $435,670 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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